Replacing front and rear shocks.

[Woodlands]

I found a good deal on 4 Rancho RS500 shocks. So i pulled the trigger and bought them. My question is, do you need to lift or jack up your sport trac to change the shocks on the front and back? I have read and heard no and yes from a few different websites and friends.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Where'd you get the deal on the Rancho's?

Depends on if your Trac is stock height (for crawling under it and working). I have replaced the shocks both ways but mine is nowhere near stock...

 

[LONO100]

just put it on jack stands. its much easier.

 

[Woodlands]

Mine has no lift. I have crawled under it and my beer belly is small so i had what seemed like enough room for what i was doing but not sure if i woul have eneough room to change the shocks or not. I ordered the shocks from strutmasters.com. I got $20 off for it being my first order from them and Rancho has a $50 mail in rebate if you buy all 4. So i saved $70 and they only cost me around $140 for all 4.

 

[swshawaii]

The drivers side rear shock can be a PITA due to confined space.
Dropping the tire and charcoal canister makes the job much easier.
Also, a 13mm swiveling ratchet (GearWrench) will save a lot of time.
Make sure all the hoses are replaced correctly or you'll throw codes.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Whether a ST or a Gen 2, Swiveling gear wrenches are a must have... Amen to that!

 

[Woodlands]

The drivers side rear shock can be a PITA due to confined space.
Dropping the tire and charcoal canister makes the job much easier.
Also, a 13mm swiveling ratchet (GearWrench) will save a lot of time.
Make sure all the hoses are replaced correctly or you'll throw codes.

Got them changed today and you werent joking about the drivers side rear shock being a pain.

 

[AJ@AutoAnything]

x2 on that, I didn't jack or remove tires and took me a few hours. There was a good writeup on here that I followed and it was pretty straight forward...except that one dang bolt mentioned!!!! Cost me a knuckle.

 

[swshawaii]

x2 on that, I didn't jack or remove tires and took me a few hours. There was a good writeup on here that I followed and it was pretty straight forward...except that one dang bolt mentioned!!!! Cost me a knuckle.

GearWrench 13mm Flex Head Combination (Knuckle and Time Saver)

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Which 5000's did you guys install, there are two length's.

Stock: RS5229

1"-2.50" lift RS5374

I would like to get the lift set but no one has them in stock.

I really can't wait to do my SAS, SOA !!! The IFS sucks driving on the Pittsburgh roads. I can do less damage to the suspension offroading then the wear I get from driving around the roads of Pittsburgh. Wish I still lived out in Oregon.

 

[shooterdude199]

i'll be honest my rear shocks took me 30 minutes to do and that is including going to oreillys and picking up grade 8 hardware. the front took me about 3 weeks

 

[AJ@AutoAnything]

RS5229 0" stock front height and RS5185 rear